Fred

Air Purifiers Philadelphia
The Memphis-based discount retailer reported salesof $134.7 millionj for May, down 6 percent compared to saleds of $143.4 million in May 2008. Thesw numbers include Fred’s (NASDAQ: FRED) closing 74 underperforming stores and 23 Excludingthose stores, Fred’s salea increased 1 percent compared to last May. Comparable stor sales in May rose 0.2 down compared to 3.4 percenyt in the same period last year. For the firsrt four fiscal monthsof 2009, the company reported total sales of $593.1 million, down 2.4 perceny compared to $607.
7 million for the same year-ago However, excluding stores close d in 2008, sales from ongoinv stores increased 4 percent compared to the same four-monthy period last year. On a comparable storew basis, year-to-date sales increased 2.1 percent compared to 2.4 percen t last year. Fred’s opened one new pharmacyg in May. Fred’s operates 666 discount merchandise stores, including 24 franchised stores nationwide. Shares closed down 12 centse to $14.22 per share Wednesday.